You might be thinking that this is going to be an article all about how women should have the same opportunities as an athlete in the sporting world as a male.
You would be wrong. Today I would like to address the issue of sexism in the media.
I know a lot of women who love sport but they never considered a career in sports media because ‘that’s a man’s job’ or it’s so typically thought to be. The ratio of men to women in sports media continues to astound me as sports news programs continue to be anchored by men and the leading reporter in the sports section is a male. I’m not saying that there are no female reporters involved in the sports world, but most of you will only be familiar with the stories of them getting treated poorly.
You would be familiar with the story of Mel Mclaughlin, the women who was covering a Big Bash game when Chris Gayle attempted to flirt with her live on air. She was doing her job – the one she went to university, the same as any man, in order to do. She didn’t deserve to be hit on in a professional environment like that it wouldn’t happen to a man, so why should it happen to a woman? It shouldn’t.
Everyone seems so positive towards equality in sport yet it still remains an issue. Men need to learn to respect the intellectual value of the women not her physical appearance. Women go to university to study our profession and after that we would like to be faced with the same opportunities.
Here’s how we fix this issue. For one second consider you are at your job and despite being fully qualified you never have the same opportunities as the guy whose desk is right next to you. That’s what it’s like for any women involved in sport. Next time you’re watching a woman report on something in sport feel proud. Proud that we are evolving into a nation where sport is for both men and women to enjoy.
It will never be the same between men and women in the sporting industry but we can at least try to incorporate and appreciate women stepping into a world less common to them.
Don Freo
Guest
If we are talking about opportunity to show excellence or enabling by encouraging, this related idea about the Matilda's performance is worth a read. http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/james-mcgrath2/this-is-what-happens-when_4_b_9363800.html?utm_hp_ref=au-blog
Josephine
Roar Pro
Times change and hopefully people can change and be more open minded
Josephine
Roar Pro
That's what I hope I can do in the future!
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
And you know this how?
Don Freo
Guest
Yes, Samantha and, while we're at it, if we really want equality, let's stop separating people into gender divisions and, instead, start noticing them purely as people. Let's notice individual competency and, when a woman is excellent, why not remark on her ability instead of surprise at the fact she is a woman? Women need to lead here by ending this constant division into gender gaps. Just take your position as a sports fan...or a journo...or a sportsperson... If a woman is terrible, let's respond as so many do to Channel 9's cricket commentators or to Brian Taylor. Would a criticism be accepted as a fair critique or a gendered put down?
Yawn
Guest
Ha ha Samantha. I don't think the half dozen viewers would care too much if that happened. I'm sure there are many women who could do a good job in sports media (hell I reckon I could do a good job) but it should ultimately come down to who could do the best job. If you want to be in sports media then be the best applicant. Don't cry poor.
Tricky
Guest
If there's enough interest in getting more females into broadcasting roles then it will happen, so long as they don't sound like Kelli Underwood! I did like Liz Ellis in the netball - concise, knowledgeable, didn't get her tongue twisted and a good voice when the crowd is goin nuts! Come to think of it Netball commentary seems to be dominated by female broadcasters (In Australia anyway) and my guess is because they're ex players etc. not because it is a female dominated sport.
josh
Guest
Majority of the AFL fans would be in agreeance with this opinion.
CN
Guest
I wish it didn't matter, but it does... At all levels. I work in a mostly volunteer media team for a local soccer club, and we have a "tv show". The boys that produce it have expressed interest in getting a female on-screener, but "she's got to be hot". To which my response it "no, she needs to know football" but that's shrugged off with laughs. It's sexism, but try telling them that.
Josephine
Roar Pro
excuse me? Some men are involved in all women sports such as high level netball, it's not an issue.
Josephine
Roar Pro
Hahaha I actually laughed at this one! I don't know but maybe over time!
Josephine
Roar Pro
I don't agree with what you have said above as that is a personal choice it shouldn't define what gets put on the air.We should be pushing for more females in the business because their are people who are interested but don't know If they will even be able to get a job. You shouldn't choose a women over a man just because she's a women but if she's equally qualified who ssays you shouldn't just because some people don't like a female voice. The world will get used it and so will you give them a chance
Josephine
Roar Pro
Camo McD
Roar Guru
Interesting Nifty. I've actually quite enjoyed Caroline Wilson's articles and her work on Footy Classified over the years. She's not afraid to cover uncomfortable issues and she also has some interesting opinions. Probably because of this I recall on several occasions 'the footy show' and fellow panellists on Classified treating her with absolute contempt. You sense most of the cozy boys club of former players and hangers on would prefer to sweep anything controversial that might reflect badly on the AFL or AFL players under the carpet. I've enjoyed at times the writing of people like Samantha Lane, Martin Flanagan and John Harms. None of whom played the game to any heights that I'm aware of. Commentary boxes, TV panels and newspapers seem to be otherwise clogged with pretty bland former AFL players who've been trained within an inch of their life to suppress any strong criticism or dissenting opinions they may have. Look at everyone who immediately clamoured to support Mark McVeigh and paint Kyle Reimers as some kind of outcast. Hopefully more women have a role to play in bringing in some new and interesting perspectives to sports journalism.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Do women have big enough egos to really be commentators? :D
Brendon the 1st
Guest
For whatever reason I seem to watch documentary's voiced by David Attenborough, Neil Oliver and Tony Robinson, these guys have great voices for narration, so seemingly I prefer not only men's voices, but I prefer British men's voices when it comes to watching these programs. I don't really get into American or female narration, I don't know why, I just don't. So far it's the same for me with sport and I think Kelli Underwood set female commentary back a fair way, at present I just can't see myself enjoying a woman commentating on a game, not because I'm sexist, not because I believe only ex players should do it, I just don't enjoy their voice/commentary as much. The networks will give the fans what they want, so as to get as many people watching their ads as possible, and I would dare to say there are plenty of men and woman out there that feel like I do about female commentary, so until a truly great female commentator comes along then I just can't see it happening. The new woman's league will unlock opportunities for game analysis and boundary rider positions in the future, and I have absolutely no issue with this, one of my favorite female sports personalities has never ridden a bike (Suzie Perry) but is immensely popular in Superbike and speedway circles, but as a straight up commentator, she would have to be pretty special. As far as pushing for more female involvement, just for the sake of there being more females involved, then it's a big no for me, the best person for the job should get the job regardless of gender, race, religion or sexuality, not because of one of these things.
WhereIsGene
Guest
No, we don't need more women involved in an all-male sport. There are plenty of OTHER sports out there for women to get involved with.
Josephine
Roar Pro
Exactly- that's all I'm asking that the best possible person gets the job
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
That's not easy to answer in a few sentences Samantha. I think the real question you should be asking yourself is why will there inevitably be male special comments commentators? You will also need to ask yourself: will people actually care either way? I could simply give you the brutal truth from my perspective and say I probably won't care, because I won't be watching it. Why? Well it's the same argument I get into over on the football forum when I discuss why the Aleague will never become big in Australia, simple because it's not seen as the best form of the game. or I could construct a valid argument as to how those three above points actually relate to each other; allowing for men to commentate on a woman's game, but not the other way around. I know that sounds like a contradiction, maybe even hypocritical and perhaps arrogant. But...when you ask those questions yourself, perhaps you will see if from a different stand-point. I'm happy to discuss this further, but these conversations tend to get out-of-hand if one doesn't chose their words wisely.
Tricky
Guest
IMO I think all sports broadcasters male or female are employed on merit and qualification. Why aren't there any broadcasters in the AFL or even Australian Rules? Probably because it is one of the very few that do not have an equivalent womens league like Soccer, cricket, hockey, boxing .............. the list goes. Rick has hit the nail on the head as to why